Philidor Defence

Play as BlackDefence

Black supports e5 with a pawn and builds a solid, flexible position.

The main line, move by move

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O

1. 1. e4 — Claim the center and open lines for the queen and bishop.
2. 1... e5 — Black claims the center too.
3. 2. Nf3 — Brings the knight into the game.
4. 2... d6 — Support the e5 pawn with a pawn and keep the position solid.
5. 3. d4 — Strike at the center at once.
6. 3... Nf6 — Brings the knight into the game.
7. 4. Nc3 — Brings the knight into the game.
8. 4... Nbd7 — Brings the knight into the game.
9. 5. Bc4 — Brings the bishop into the game.
10. 5... Be7 — Brings the bishop into the game.
11. 6. O-O — Castle: your king gets safe and a rook joins the game.
12. 6... O-O — Castle: your king gets safe and a rook joins the game.

Related openings

• Sicilian Defense (Najdorf)
• French Defense
• Caro-Kann Defense
• Scandinavian Defense
• Pirc Defense

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